kerckhoff



Aug. 11, 1936. R. D. KERCKHOFF COUNTER Filed June 6, 1935 F v F F. M w m m W W. f v,

Patented Aug. 11, 1936 COUNTER Application June 6, 1935, Serial No. 25,253

1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to counters, and more specifically to counter constructions which involve basic structures formed of concrete, wood or like material, the predominant object of the invention being to produce an improved counter of this type which is capable of convenient manufacture and eflicient performance of its intended function, while presenting a pleasing appearance.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a counter constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the counter illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation on a reduced scale of the improved counter shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a part of the counter being broken away in this view to conserve space.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, rear elevation of the improved counter on the same scale as Fig. 3.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates the improved counter generally. The counter A includes a front wall I which extends longitudinally of the counter A and is arranged in an upright position, said front wall I being formed of concrete or like material, and if desired (although this is not shown in the drawing) said wall may be reinforced in the manner common to concrete constructions.

At its lower end the front wall I terminates at a. point above the floor line or support S upon which the counter rests, and at said lower end of said front wall a horizontally disposed foot-rest 2 is provided. The foot-rest 2 contacts with the lower edge of the front wall 1 adjacent to the inner end of said foot-rest, and the foot-rest extends forwardly relative to the front wall I. Also, the foot-rest extends longitudinally of the counter from one to the opposite end thereof.

Arranged in contact with the lower face of the foot-rest 2 at a point adjacent to the inner end thereof is a plurality of angle bars 3, and arranged to support these angle bars as well as the foot-rest is a plurality of blocks 4, formed preferably of concrete, said blocks being cut away so as to provide recesses 5 which receive the angle bars 3. Disposed beneath the forward portion of the foot-rest 2 is a base wall 6, which is extended upwardly from the support S and arranged longitudinally of the counter from end to end thereof. The lower face of the foot-rest 2 rests upon the upper edge of the base wall 6, and the loweredge of said base wall contacts with the support S. The base wall 6 is preferably formed of concrete or like material, and if desired, the concrete structure providing the base wall 6 may be suitably reinforced (not shown). The blocks A, which are arranged with their inner faces in vertical alinement with the inner edge of the foot-rest 2, have their outer faces in contact with the inner face of the base wall 6.

The front wall I of the improved counter A is provided adjacent to its lower end with an offset portion 1, the lower, off-set portion of said front wall being of slightly greater thickness than the upper portion thereof. Preferably, though not necessarily, the front wall I is provided with backplates 8 and 9 which extend longitudinally of said front wall from end to end, the back plate 8 being disposed above the offset, lower portion of said front wall and the back plate 9 being arranged at the extreme lower end of said front wall. The front wall I of the improved structure supports a top member G0 which extends slightly beyond the front wall in a forward direction and considerably beyond said front wall in a rearward direction, and in order to improve the appearance of the counter structure decorative bracket elements. I l are provided beneath the forward portion of the top member ill and at the outer face of the front wall I. At the rear of the improved counter structure suitable supporting elements are provided for the top member l0, these supporting elements preferably being in the form of rods or tubing 42 secured by suitable connecting elements l3 to the top member ID and the support S, respectively. There may be any desired number of these supporting elements l2, and they are spaced longitudinally of the counter.

An important feature of the invention is that the front wall I at a point immediately above the foot-rest 2 is provided with a recess M which extends longitudinally of the counter from end to end. This recess provides space for the toe portions of the feet of persons seated or standing at the counter. This recess is preferably of curved shape, as shown in Fig. l, and the curved wall thereof is covered by a correspondingly shaped tile element l5, which likewise extends from end to end of the counter. In like manner the front face of the front wall is covered by means of suitably arranged tile elements It which extend from the upper end of the recess I l to the top of the front wall, and also the base wall 6 is covered at its front face with suitable tile elements ll.

The improved counter may be of any desired shape; for instance, it may extend in a straight line from end to end, or if desired the opposite ends of the counter may be turned rearwardly to produce a more or less U-shaped counter. In any event, the opposite ends of the counter are provided with end elements l8 which extend from the support S upwardly to the top member I!) and cooperate with said top member in a manner to provide an enclosure within the counter which is preferably open at the back.

When constructed in the manner described, the improved counter is at once of unique design and durable construction, and very efficiently performs its intended function.

I claim: A counter comprising a front wall formed of concrete or equivalent material, a top member supported by and extending forwardly of said front wall, said front wall having its lower end spaced upwardly from the bottom of the counter, a horizontally disposed foot-rest disposed at the lower end of said front wall and extended forwardly with respect thereto, a base wall formed of concrete or equivalent material located beneath the forward portion of said foot-rest, supporting means for the rear portion of said foot-rest, and a recess formed in said front wall at a point immediately above the foot-rest which provides space for the toe portions of feet of persons sitting at the counter.

RICHARD DANIEL KERCKHOFF. 

